Kyler Murray clears concussion protocol and will start for Vikings against Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Kyler Murray is back for the Minnesota Vikings.

Coach Kevin O'Connell announced Monday afternoon that the quarterback has cleared the NFL concussion protocol and will start on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Murray missed Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears because he was knocked out of the Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers.

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Quarterback Kyler Murray of the Minnesota Vikings sets up to throw a pass during a preseason game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 15, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Getty Images)

The hit was ugly, and although Murray walked to the locker room and seemed totally responsive in the hours afterward, he was placed in the NFL concussion protocol.

Murray, who won the starting job in training camp against J.J. McCarthy, was thus subjected to testing by independent physicians to determine his status.

And while that happened, Carson Wentz directed a comeback win against the Packers and then a victory over the Bears on Sunday.

Javon Bullard of the Green Bay Packers reacts after tackling Kyler Murray of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter on Sept. 13, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (Getty Images)

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The Vikings lead the NFC North with a 2-0 record.

Sunday's victory was not exactly an offensive explosion, which might explain why O'Connell didn't hesitate in handing the starting job back to Murray.

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Wentz completed 11 of 20 passes for a modest 143 without a touchdown or interception in the 9-3 victory over the Bears.

Minnesota Viking head coach Kevin O'Connell interacts with Carson Wentz (11) on the sideline during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

The time Wentz played in his place was not wasted by Murray, according to O'Connell.

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"I think the starting point is he's just watched Carson really function in a way that there wasn't, Carson wasn't, you know, doing crazy things," O'Connell said. "He was just protecting the football, making good decisions, making some big-time throws when he could, and running the show.

"And and I think [Murray] saw some plays get made. I think he saw our team play totally connected and complimentary of all of the other two phases and what that can do for the Minnesota Vikings on a Sunday."